Shinny Wheels running our lanes..While we sit at home

Look, I know what I am going to say is harsh. If the Union would come down on some of it's members who violate the contract & disregard or disrespect their fellow rank & file, & fine them or kick them out of the Union all together, maybe the brotherhood would close ranks a little & realize you are by yourself, or you really do believe in the union concept. Not an easy answer or subject, but when I worked many times I witnessed total disregard for the union rules & what is expected of a member. But, with 18% bothering to vote in the last General election for the Teamsters, that must leave 85% that don't give a dam. von.

Look, I know what I am going to say is harsh. If the Union would come down on some of it's members who violate the contract & disregard or disrespect their fellow rank & file, & fine them or kick them out of the Union all together, maybe the brotherhood would close ranks a little & realize you are by yourself, or you really do believe in the union concept. Not an easy answer or subject, but when I worked many times I witnessed total disregard for the union rules & what is expected of a member. But, with 18% bothering to vote in the last General election for the Teamsters, that must leave 85% that don't give a dam. von.

Click to expand...

The union only exists on my paycheck. They don't actually do anything physically anymore. I met a guy once who claimed to be with this mystical Union, and I offered him $5. I just thought he was another form of taxation. I didn't understand.

The union only exists on my paycheck. They don't actually do anything physically anymore. I met a guy once who claimed to be with this mystical Union, and I offered him $5. I just thought he was another form of taxation. I didn't understand.

Click to expand...

Don't let yourself be talked into denigrating your right to be in a Union. It's very important. . Corporations don't want you to know how important it is. Your right to speak up at work ,....your freedom to associate with a Union,..... and your right to assemble with other Union members,....are all your First Amendment rights. At the non-Union employers, you give up your First Amendment rights when you punch the timeclock.....You certainly give up your Second Amendment rights,.....and your Fourth Amendment rights.

Unions are the last bulwark keeping employees from becoming economic chattel. Employment-at-Will rules prevail now in every state. Unions are fighting to keep you from being fired unjustly for merely speaking your opinion. Every American should have that right, and not just when your employer, on a whim, decides to let you spout off. ........This time........

You should be free to speak your mind whenever YOU decide,...not your boss....

Unions are only as strong as their weakest link. Part of the Corporate strategy is to convince you that Unions are worthless. If you believe them,...then you are the weakest link.....

Thanks for the dues money,....but we can really, really use your active participation.....

Become a GOOD Union member,.....an ACTIVE one. Use the power, Brother. Don't let anyone talk you out of it.

Don't let yourself be talked into denigrating your right to be in a Union. It's very important. . Corporations don't want you to know how important it is. Your right to speak up at work ,....your freedom to associate with a Union,..... and your right to assemble with other Union members,....are all your First Amendment rights. At the non-Union employers, you give up your First Amendment rights when you punch the timeclock.....You certainly give up your Second Amendment rights,.....and your Fourth Amendment rights.

Unions are the last bulwark keeping employees from becoming economic chattel. Employment-at-Will rules prevail now in every state. Unions are fighting to keep you from being fired unjustly for merely speaking your opinion. Every American should have that right, and not just when your employer, on a whim, decides to let you spout off. ........This time........

You should be free to speak your mind whenever YOU decide,...not your boss....

Unions are only as strong as their weakest link. Part of the Corporate strategy is to convince you that Unions are worthless. If you believe them,...then you are the weakest link.....

Thanks for the dues money,....but we can really, really use your active participation.....

Become a GOOD Union member,.....an ACTIVE one. Use the power, Brother. Don't let anyone talk you out of it.

Click to expand...

Brother and Friend, I give you all the credit in the world for trying and for having the best interests of us all in mind and heart. But...the teamsters suck and we need an alternative. It is hard (no, it's impossible) to deny the value of a good, strong union and worker cooperation. However, the teamsters union of today is a disgrace and they are not the answer. American teamsters have voted and we do not want the mouthpiece that we have today. But that's tough for us. The Canadians kept him in...and in his mind being in is all that matters. We will continue to be sold out, walked on and milked for our dues money. You are right, unions are only as strong as their weakest like and that link resides at 25 LA Ave NE, 20001. Look what they did to New Penn...vote 'til you get it right. Look what they did to the UPS Small Package workers in Louisville, KY, we know what's good for you and you will take that last offer. Look what they did to the freight teamsters in Chicago and vicinity, you don't like your contract? Then take ours. Time and time again Hoffa and company have pissed all over us and the world sees it. In all honesty, what is left in this union, in this industry to be proud of? I know that you and I have some residual pride but mine is predicated on a day long passed and that has lost its luster. I honestly have to ask where yours comes from.

Brother and Friend, I give you all the credit in the world for trying and for having the best interests of us all in mind and heart. But...the teamsters suck and we need an alternative. It is hard (no, it's impossible) to deny the value of a good, strong union and worker cooperation. However, the teamsters union of today is a disgrace and they are not the answer. American teamsters have voted and we do not want the mouthpiece that we have today. But that's tough :: for us. The Canadians kept him in...and in his mind being in is all that matters. We will continue to be sold out, walked on and milked for our dues money. You are right, unions are only as strong as their weakest like and that link resides at 25 LA Ave NE, 20001. Look what they did to New Penn...vote 'til you get it right. Look what they did to the UPS Small Package workers in Louisville, KY, we know what's good for you and you will take that last offer. Look what they did to the freight teamsters in Chicago and vicinity, you don't like your contract? Then take ours. Time and time again Hoffa and company have pissed all over us and the world sees it. In all honesty, what is left in this union, in this industry to be proud of? I know that you and I have some residual pride but mine is predicated on a day long passed and that has lost its luster. I honestly have to ask where yours comes from.

Click to expand...

I absolutely agree with you that the current leadership,......if that is the right word,.......has lost it's moral compass and validity, especially after the change to the Teamsters Constitution, allowing the executive board to jam down a contract if they feel it's "in the best interest" of the rank-and-file.

But we can't let rotten leadership bring down the high moral idea that Unions embody. The Teamsters....us,......survived the Fitzsimmons years, and the Presser years,..........we will survive the Hoffa Jr. years.

Union's only stock-in-trade is the morality of their existence. Corporations exist to make a profit,......legally, illegaly, immorally,.....any method is fine if you don't get caught...........Unions are there to remind corporations of the human cost in their quest for profit.

I think everyone agrees the idea of Unionism ,...........working as it SHOULD work,..........is a noble and great idea.

You all must enjoy something? Complain about pension, contracts, leadership, wage cuts, vacation..my guess, majority of you voted yes...i cant understand why you all stay with ABF. All of the ltl carriers, hiring..whiney immature, unappreciative...keyboard know it alls...sick to be a co worker of most of you.

You all must enjoy something? Complain about pension, contracts, leadership, wage cuts, vacation..my guess, majority of you voted yes...i cant understand why you all stay with ABF. All of the ltl carriers, hiring..whiney immature, unappreciative...keyboard know it alls...sick to be a co worker of most of you.

You all must enjoy something? Complain about pension, contracts, leadership, wage cuts, vacation..my guess, majority of you voted yes...i cant understand why you all stay with ABF. All of the ltl carriers, hiring..whiney immature, unappreciative...keyboard know it alls...sick to be a co worker of most of you.

Click to expand...

The alternative would be leaving to work for a non-Union carrier,.....and put your head down and don't say a word. Management's constant tune is: "If you don't like it, leave!"

But I believe those of us in a Union think: "If you don't like it,.......CHANGE it for the better with collective bargaining!"

We have the ability to speak up,....here and at work.....We didn't give up our First Amendment rights when we punched the timeclock....

I put 25 years in with ABF, and I've watched things change for the worse,.......Therefore I have the right to,.....as you say,......"whine"......

I think I'd put it more as "constructive criticism"......

I'm sorry that my existence ails you, Brother..........Now,....How about some good ideas about contract changes? Or do you think everything is hunky-dory?

I'm not happy with a lot of what's not happening at the upper level of the Teamsters but i'm not in their shoes dealing with the people they have to so i write my feelings on those proposal slips and send them in.I can't believe how many times throughout the years (many years)i've tried to enlighten my brothers that the company is doing it's best to divide us and we need to stick together at the terminal level no matter what's going on at the next level above or higher! We know what we're dealing with and need to nip it in the bud! As I try to stay positive and pass on the strength we could achieve at our home there is always that one guy that claims to be the best teamster that blurts out "What's the sense ,the unions not going back us" which deflates the feeling of unity instantly.Thats the guy the company likes the most!That's the guy thats going to do the things thats against the contract for personal gain using the excuse "Screw it the union is useless anyway"That's the cancer the union is dealing with!We need to guide the new guy's by setting an example of unity not screaming and demeaning them.And stop with the We did this and we did that at my old job.Your other job had different supplements, or wasn't combo,or had 2 start times not 9,and ect,ect,and ect.Unity starts with YOU! Live it don't just preach it!I might be wrong,but I think canaryinthemine is saying the same in the above post but he seems to do a fine job speaking for himself!

Thank you Sir. I’ve been saying for years that we can be our own worst enemy.

The “Pogo Principle”............” We have met the Enemy, and He is Us...”

WE know why we are in Unions....WE know that corporations hate Unions because they give the employees a say-so in daily operations......WE have to do a better job of showing WHY we are preserving First Amendment rights in the workplace.

We all have to start taking an active part in what the Locals are doing. Get the Local Bylaws, read them,....and QUESTION what your Local leaders are doing. If they're honest,...they'll understand what and why you are doing......Might not like it, but they'll understand......

I'm not happy with a lot of what's not happening at the upper level of the Teamsters but i'm not in their shoes dealing with the people they have to so i write my feelings on those proposal slips and send them in.I can't believe how many times throughout the years (many years)i've tried to enlighten my brothers that the company is doing it's best to divide us and we need to stick together at the terminal level no matter what's going on at the next level above or higher! We know what we're dealing with and need to nip it in the bud! As I try to stay positive and pass on the strength we could achieve at our home there is always that one guy that claims to be the best teamster that blurts out "What's the sense ,the unions not going back us" which deflates the feeling of unity instantly.Thats the guy the company likes the most!That's the guy thats going to do the things thats against the contract for personal gain using the excuse "Screw it the union is useless anyway"That's the cancer the union is dealing with!We need to guide the new guy's by setting an example of unity not screaming and demeaning them.And stop with the We did this and we did that at my old job.Your other job had different supplements, or wasn't combo,or had 2 start times not 9,and ect,ect,and ect.Unity starts with YOU! Live it don't just preach it!I might be wrong,but I think canaryinthemine is saying the same in the above post but he seems to do a fine job speaking for himself!

Click to expand...

If they're doing something they are.....not quite proud of....they will fight you tooth'n'nail.......

They WIN,.....when guys say : "What's the use? They are all crooked..." NO they are NOT! Only the crooked ones are crooked,.....and they don't want questions. That should be your "tipoff" to dig your heels in and fight harder.

Remember,....if you ....allow....dishonesty,.........you are just as dishonest,.....by association. Or,.at least,....that's how the newspapers will portray you,...and anyone else associated with that Local.....(...whether you're "guilty" or not....)......

Useful Searches

About Us

Truckingboards is a private membership only forum but we can't control all the content on the site, If you find objectionable material on Truckingboards, kindly send us a message on the "contact us" link on the bottom right side of the page..